I am a 6th grade Science teacher. I am excited to be teaching the new Massachusetts Science, Technology, and Engineering Standards. My students are 78 engaging and motivated 6th graders in a small rural Title One K-6 elementary school. However this project is for use by all 595 students in grades K-6!
These students love science because they enjoy being involved in hands-on activities that bring Science and Engineering to life.
Many of them have participated in a popular after-school STEM club that I created and ran!
I am submitting a request to build a makerspace in the school library. This makerspace will be used by all teachers for lessons in all disciplines, but particularly with the new technology and engineering standards. The makerspace may be introduced to students during Library or Computer specialist times or during an after school club.
My Project
These materials will be used for a new Makerspace that I am creating for the school.
A Makerspace is a place where students can gather to create, invent, tinker, explore and discover using a variety of tools and materials.
From the website Renovated Learning, Diana Rendina states that: "A makerspace can be anything from a repurposed book cart filled with arts and crafts supplies to a table in a corner set out with LEGOs to a full blown fab lab with 3D printers, laser cutters, and hand tools. No two school makerspaces are exactly alike, nor should they be. Makerspaces are as unique as the school cultures they represent. Makers are artists, crafters, knitters, seamstresses, builders, programmers, engineers, hackers, painters, woodworkers, tinkerers, inventors, bakers, graphic designers and more."
Why is a Makerspace important? Why is STEM important?
Business leaders are describing the need for students to graduate with the skills of creativity and innovation. There are essential elements of educating students to become innovators which is found in the value of hands-on projects where students have to solve a real world problem.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there were nearly 8.6 million STEM jobs in May 2015, representing 6.2 percent of U.S. employment. The computer occupational group is projected to yield over 1 million job openings from 2014 to 2024. Employment in STEM occupations grew by 10.5 percent, or 817,260 jobs, between May 2009 and May 2015, compared
This makerspace will be used by all teachers for lessons in all disciplines, but particularly with the new technology and engineering standards. The makerspace may be introduced to students during Library or Computer specialist times or during an after school club.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. Whitney and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.